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CALLING ALL

CREATIVE

WRITERS

Join the 6th Annual AutoCrit Short Story Writing Challenge!

  • Created by potrace 1.10, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2011 Tuesday, May 6th - Tuesday, May 27th, 2025
  • Created by potrace 1.10, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2011 We give the theme, you write the story.
  • Created by potrace 1.10, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2011 Grand Prize winners receive a trophy anthology including their work in print!
  • Created by potrace 1.10, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2011 Weekly live streams packed with tips and guidance.
  • Created by potrace 1.10, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2011 FREE to join! No catch - we just hope you get some writing done.

If you’re not already an AutoCrit Member, you will automatically receive a Free AutoCrit account with additional resources to help you get your story done!

It’s more fun with friends. Send an invite!

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Challenge Yourself

Tuesday, May 6th – Tuesday, May 27th, 2025

STEP 1
Register

Register for the challenge and join us on YouTube for weekly live streams throughout May.

It's 100% free and you'll even get your own Free Forever AutoCrit account.

STEP 2
Write Your Tale

We’ll provide the rules and the theme your story should follow. Then it’s time to get to thinking!

STEP 3
Learn & Revise

Join weekly livestreams for extra motivation and support as we all write and edit our new short stories (max 4,501 words).

STEP 4
Win Prizes

All great efforts deserve a reward, which is why everyone who registers is automatically eligible to win prizes in our closing prize draw.

Register Now

Additional Resources to Help You Win

Yours free when you register...

120 WRITING PROMPTS PACK

Struggling to find a new idea, or need a little extra help conjuring surprising twists and turns?

Help is at hand with this collection of 120 writing prompts to fire up your imagination.

www.autocrit.com

BEAT SHEET COLLECTION

Easily map your story at a high level with the help of our free beat sheet collection.

Your selection includes a general story structure sheet, plus genre-specific sheets for horror, mystery and romance and guides to using them all!

www.autocrit.com

How to use a Beat Sheet

FIRST CHAPTER CHECKLIST

Ensure your story starts with a bang, with this handy checklist of the must-haves for a gripping first chapter.

When it comes time to put your story into motion, you'll know exactly what to include to catch your reader's attention from the off.

www.autocrit.com

John DoeCEO

THE WORLD BUILDER'S WORKBOOK

Plan everything about your story's world in a flash, with the help of this printable workbook.

From topography to wildlife, civilizations to politics and beyond, all you need to do is create, reference, and write!

www.autocrit.com

John DoeCEO

THE FAST TRACK TO A FLAWLESS DRAFT

Take a journey through the self-editing process from start to finish with this FREE crash course.

Across two hours, we'll guide you through the editor's mindset plus hands-on techniques and considerations for your craft – ideal for when the writing's done and it's time for the next step!

www.autocrit.com

John DoeCEO

Will Your Story Bring Home the Grand Prize?

At the end of every annual short story challenge, our hand-picked AutoCrit jury chooses a winning selection of the short stories written, edited, and completed during the challenge period.

These stories are then printed in a professional, single-run collection shipped directly to every author featured inside.

This collection will never be printed again, nor made publicly available and is not tied to an ISBN. All featured authors continue to hold all rights to their work and can publish it as they wish in the future.

Consider this unique collection your very own AUTOCRIT TROPHY!

Note: Cover image shown is for illustration only. This year's cover will reflect the theme specified in the challenge rules.

What's this year's theme? That's a secret you won't know until we begin!

autocrit youtube thumbnail design

Helpful Live Streams Every Week Throughout the Month

We'll be live each week during the challenge to discuss tips and techniques for effective prep and planning, and to keep you accountable for making consistent progress.

Since we treat this annual challenge with a real-world mindset, you'll be guided in (and start getting used to) the types of procedures, rules, and demands you'll face when submitting stories to publishers at the professional level.

Along the way, you'll have the chance to ask questions, get direct feedback, and take care of any blocks you might be facing.

Register Now

Got Questions?

Answers to common questions about the challenge.

No, and no. This challenge is open to everyone. There is no fee to join, and you don’t need to be an active AutoCrit member.

Yes. At the end of the challenge you may submit your story for potential inclusion in the trophy analogy. We’ll share all those details during the challenge kick-off live stream.

Absolutely not. All our challenges are built to engage and inspire our community – that’s it. We make absolutely no claim to anything you create during the challenge. All ownership and copyright remains with you.

No. All genres are welcome! All we ask is that your story fits with the defined theme of the challenge.

Schedule:

Stream 1: Tuesday, May 6th - 1pm Eastern US

Stream 2: Tuesday, May 13th - 1pm Eastern US

Stream 3: Tuesday, May 20th - 1pm Eastern US

Stream 4: Tuesday, May 27th - 1pm Eastern US

For the best benefit, we recommend you subscribe to the AutoCrit YouTube channel so you don't miss out on stream notifications.

Recordings will be available on YouTube if you miss a live session.

Register Now - It's Free!

Register Now
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